tbuckley/cabot-search huggingface dataset:
Syphilis and gonorrhoea cases soar in US
Authors: Owen Dyer
Journal: BMJ (2022)

<h3>Abstract</h3> <h3>Objective</h3> To evaluate sex differences in mortality among people with kidney failure compared with the general population. <h3>Design</h3> Population based cohort study using data linkage. <h3>Setting</h3> The Australian and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry (ANZDATA), which includes all patients receiving kidney replacement therapy in Australia (1980-2019) and New Zealand (1988-2019). Data were linked to national death registers to determine deaths and their causes, with additional details obtained from ANZDATA. <h3>Participants</h3> Of 82 844 people with kidney failure, 33 329 were female (40%) and 49 555 were male (60%); 49 376 deaths (20 099 in female patients; 29 277 in male patients) were recorded over a total of 536 602 person years of follow-up. <h3>Main outcome measures</h3> Relative measures of survival, including standardised mortality ratios, relative survival, and years of life lost, using general population data to account for background mortality (adjusting for country, age, sex, and year). Estimates were stratified by dialysis modality (haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis) and for the subpopulation of kidney transplant recipients. <h3>Results</h3> Few differences in outcomes were found between male and female patients with kidney failure. However, compared with the general population, female patients with kidney failure had greater excess all cause deaths than male patients (female patients: standardised mortality ratio 11.3, 95% confidence interval 11.2 to 11.5, expected deaths 1781, observed deaths 20 099; male patients: 6.9, 6.8 to 6.9, expected deaths 4272, observed deaths 29 277). The greatest difference was observed among younger patients and those who died from cardiovascular disease. Relative survival was also consistently lower in female patients, with adjusted excess mortality 11% higher (95% confidence interval 8% to 13%). Average years of life lost was 3.6 years (95% confidence interval 3.6 to 3.7) greater in female patients with kidney failure compared with male patients across all ages. No major differences were found in mortality by sex for haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis. Kidney transplantation reduced but did not entirely remove the sex difference in excess mortality, with similar relative survival (P=0.83) and years of life lost difference reduced to 2.3 years (95% confidence interval 2.2 to 2.3) between female and male patients. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Compared with the general population, female patients had greater excess deaths, worse relative survival, and more years of life lost than male patients, however kidney transplantation reduced these differences. Future research should investigate whether systematic differences exist in access to care and possible strategies to mitigate excess mortality among female patients.
Incidence of Monkeypox Among Unvaccinated Persons Compared with Persons Receiving ≥1 JYNNEOS Vaccine Dose — 32 U.S. Jurisdictions, July 31–September 3, 2022
Authors: Amanda B. Payne, Logan C. Ray, Kiersten J. Kugeler, Amy Fothergill, Elizabeth B. White, Michelle Canning, Jennifer L. Farrar, Leora R. Feldstein, Adi V. Gundlapalli, Kennedy Houck, Jennifer L. Kriss, Nathaniel M. Lewis, Emily Sims, Dawn K. Smith, Ian H. Spicknall, Yoshinori Nakazawa, Inger K. Damon, Amanda C. Cohn, Daniel C. Payne
Journal: MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (2022)

Human monkeypox is caused by Monkeypox virus (MPXV), an Orthopoxvirus, previously rare in the United States (1). The first U.S. case of monkeypox during the current outbreak was identified on May 17, 2022 (2). As of September 28, 2022, a total of 25,341 monkeypox cases have been reported in the United States.* The outbreak has disproportionately affected gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM) (3). JYNNEOS vaccine (Modified Vaccinia Ankara vaccine, Bavarian Nordic), administered subcutaneously as a 2-dose (0.5 mL per dose) series with doses administered 4 weeks apart, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2019 to prevent smallpox and monkeypox infection (4). U.S. distribution of JYNNEOS vaccine as postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) for persons with known exposures to MPXV began in May 2022. A U.S. national vaccination strategy† for expanded PEP, announced on June 28, 2022, recommended subcutaneous vaccination of persons with known or presumed exposure to MPXV, broadening vaccination eligibility. FDA emergency use authorization (EUA) of intradermal administration of 0.1 mL of JYNNEOS on August 9, 2022, increased vaccine supply (5). As of September 28, 2022, most vaccine has been administered as PEP or expanded PEP. Because of the limited amount of time that has elapsed since administration of initial vaccine doses, as of September 28, 2022, relatively few persons in the current outbreak have completed the recommended 2-dose series.§ To examine the incidence of monkeypox among persons who were unvaccinated and those who had received ≥1 JYNNEOS vaccine dose, 5,402 reported monkeypox cases occurring among males¶ aged 18-49 years during July 31-September 3, 2022, were analyzed by vaccination status across 32 U.S. jurisdictions.** Average monkeypox incidence (cases per 100,000) among unvaccinated persons was 14.3 (95% CI = 5.0-41.0) times that among persons who received 1 dose of JYNNEOS vaccine ≥14 days earlier. Monitoring monkeypox incidence by vaccination status in timely surveillance data might provide early indications of vaccine-related protection that can be confirmed through other well-controlled vaccine effectiveness studies. This early finding suggests that a single dose of JYNNEOS vaccine provides some protection against monkeypox infection. The degree and durability of such protection is unknown, and it is recommended that people who are eligible for monkeypox vaccination receive the complete 2-dose series.
Oncologist-reported frequency of managing specific long-term and late effects in breast cancer survivors.
Authors: Eden Brauer, Laura Petersen, Patricia A. Ganz
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2022)

193 Background: Breast cancer survivors may experience a broad range of physical and psychosocial long-term and late effects. Although disease-specific guidelines for breast cancer survivorship care are available, systematic approaches remain a challenge in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to describe variations in how medical oncologists assess and manage specific long-term and late effects in breast cancer survivors. Methods: This study is a secondary analysis of data from a survey of medical oncologists about breast cancer survivorship care in the United States. Using a study-specific list, oncologists were asked to report the “most common” and “most distressing” concerns of breast cancer survivors in their clinical practice, as well as the frequency at which they assess and manage 16 specific long-term and late effects in routine survivorship care. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics to rank perceived patient concerns and compare practice variations across specific post-treatment issues. Results: Data from 215 surveys were included. Oncologists perceived anxiety, fatigue, neuropathy, and menopausal symptoms as top-ranking common and distressing concerns in breast cancer patients. When asked how often they assess and manage specific long-term and late effects in routine survivorship visits, oncologists reported the highest frequency for neuropathy (55%), bone health (54%), and pain (52%), and the lowest frequency for cognitive impairment (19%), sexual dysfunction (15%), and body image concerns (13%). Cognitive impairment and body image were perceived as the fourth and fifth most distressing issues that breast cancer survivors face, yet oncologists reported routine assessment and management less than 20 percent of the time. Conclusions: Findings from this analysis indicate that oncologists routinely assess and manage certain long-term and late effects, while others remain neglected. Important disconnects between perceived patient concerns and the issues that are routinely addressed in clinical practice were also identified. Standardized approaches that incorporate brief patient-reported assessments across multidimensional issues may facilitate comprehensive, guideline-concordant survivorship care.[Table: see text]
Depression screening and use of supportive care services in prostate cancer.
Authors: Risa Liang Wong, Heather H. Cheng, Jesse R. Fann, James Hnida, Marty Chakoian, Samia Jannat, Yael Schenker, Evan Y. Yu, John L. Gore
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2022)

219 Background: Patients with prostate cancer (PC) have high rates of depression (15-20%), which is associated with worse oncologic outcomes. The PHQ-9 is commonly used in depression screening, but men with depression may present differently than women, and male-specific screening tools such as the Gotland Male Depression Scale (GMDS) have also been developed and validated. The use of supportive care services in men with PC and depression is not well-described. Methods: Men with ≥1 Urology or Medical Oncology clinic visit for PC in the prior 6 months were emailed the PHQ-9 and GMDS every 60 days. Men who screened positive (score ≥10 on PHQ-9 or ≥13 on GMDS, consistent with moderate to severe depression) were contacted by phone to discuss the positive screen; during that conversation patients were offered a referral to an oncology social worker for a formal needs assessment and connection to supportive care services. Patient characteristics and use of supportive care services (palliative care, psychiatry, counseling, support groups, or spiritual health) at baseline and as a result of study screening were collected by survey and chart review. Results: Between 6/2021-12/2021, 201 men enrolled (Table). 184 completed ≥2 screens with mean follow-up 6.5 months (SD 1.3). 31 men (15.4%) had ≥1 positive PHQ-9 screen and 11 (5.5%) had ≥1 positive GMDS screen, 9 of whom also screened positive on the PHQ-9. Of the 33 men offered clinical social work referrals based on PHQ-9 or GMDS screening, 12 (36%) initially accepted and 7 (21%) ultimately met with social work. Of these 7 men, two ultimately received ongoing supportive counseling from social work, two were referred to support groups or peers in the community, and one was referred to financial services; the remaining two men were not followed longitudinally or referred to any services by the social worker, but were given the option to re-contact the social worker as needed. For the two patients who screened positive on the GMDS but not the PHQ-9, one declined social work referral, and one initially accepted but never scheduled an appointment. Conclusions: Use of supportive care services in men with PC was low, including when services were actively offered as a result of depression screening. Beyond the PHQ-9, the GMDS did not identify any men who engaged in supportive care services. More work is needed to optimally identify men with PC who may benefit from supportive care services and barriers to use.[Table: see text]
Physician knowledge and attitudes toward breast cancer screening strategies in transgender population.
Authors: Regina Barragan-Carrillo, Alec Seidman Sorsby, Mayte Cruz, Maria Fernanda Gonzalez-Lara, Yanin Chavarri Guerra
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2022)

71 Background: Transgender people experience intersecting forms of marginalization and suffer significant healthcare disparities. There is evidence that healthcare providers are insufficiently equipped to provide adequate healthcare to this population. Hormone-replacement therapy for trans-women requires blockade of androgen production and estrogen supplementation, which increases the risk of breast cancer (BC) compared to cis-males. Also, trans-women without gender-affirming mastectomy should undergo BC screening (BCS). We seek to explore the knowledge and attitudes among physicians regarding current strategies for breast cancer screening in trans-women and men. Methods: We adapted an online 15-item survey exploring knowledge and attitudes among physicians on strategies for BCS in trans people. The first 6-items evaluated attitudes, and the last 9-items knowledge. We conducted a pilot phase to assess physicians' understanding before the final data collection and adjusted it after corrections. Participants were invited through social media and directly peer-to-peer in June 2022. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis using SPSS ver. 26. Results: A total of 165 participants completed the survey, 96 (58.2%) self-identified as male, 66 (40%) female, and 2 (1.2%) non-binary gender with a mean age of 30 years (23 – 60 years). Most participants were residents and fellows (70.3%), and 29.7% were attendings. Overall, only 7.3% of participants felt confident in their knowledge of BCS in trans-people, 55.2% felt that had an inadequate preparation regarding transgender health during medical school and 86.1 and 83% agreed that it should be thoroughly addressed during medical school and residency, respectively. Regarding knowledge, 10.9% recognized that BC risk is different between trans- and cis-women, 9.7% identified that trans-women had a lower BC risk, and 77% answered that transgender people have insufficient access to health services. Finally, as for specific BC screening strategies, only 49.1% correctly identified BCS strategies for trans-women, 61.2% correctly answered the recommended age to start BCS in trans-women, 40.6% the periodicity for BCS, and 63% identified the correct recommendation for BCS trans-men without a gender-affirming mastectomy. Conclusions: Current physician knowledge regarding BCS strategies in the transgender population is limited. Nonetheless, respondents identified transgender health as an area of opportunity that might be addressed with widespread information. These findings reinforce that education of healthcare providers is required to end health inequalities faced by this diverse group of patients.
Implementing suicide risk screening as a part of routine cancer care.
Authors: Umberto Donato, Oliver Nguyen, Rachael McCormick, Emma Hume, Amir Alishahi, Jessica Yasmine Islam, Julie E. Hallanger-Johnson, Scott Michael Gilbert, Kea Turner
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2022)

216 Background: Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients are at increased risk for suicide. Few studies have tested approaches to preventing suicide in this population, such as routine suicide risk screening. To address this issue, the current study pilots and assesses the feasibility and implementation of a suicide risk screening program for HNC patients at a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Methods: Routine screening was implemented at all in-person visits in the HNC clinic from February 1, 2021 – January 31, 2022 using the PHQ-9. Patients with passive suicidal ideation were consequently screened by social work for active suicidal ideation. Results: Most (92.6% or 1519/1641) HNC patients with a scheduled in-person visit completed at least one suicide risk screening; 9,968 screenings were completed (mean: 3.7; SD: 3.8 per patient) in total. Among patients who were screened, 3% (49/1519) of HNC patients reported passive suicidal ideation and 0.3% (5/1519) were identified as having active suicidal ideation. Patients with five or more visits were more likely to participate in screening compared with patients who only had one visit during the study period (100% vs. 82.7%; P &lt;.0001). Other patient factors, such as race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status, were not associated with screening participation. Conclusions: Findings suggest suicide screening was feasible and effective at identifying patients at an increased risk for suicide. Longitudinal studies are needed to evaluate the impact of suicide screening on suicide prevention and further research is required to scale up suicide screening to reach additional cancer patients.
Efficacy of a brief telemedicine-based cognitive behavioral treatment (BRIGHT) versus attention control for head and neck cancer survivors with body image distress: A randomized trial.
Authors: Evan Michael Graboyes, Stacey N Maurer, Wendy Balliet, Hong Li, Amy M. Williams, Nosayaba Osazuwa-Peters, Lynne Padgett, Flora Yan, Tamar Gordis, Angie Rush, Kenneth J. Ruggiero, Katherine R. Sterba
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2022)

212 Background: Nearly 1 in 3 head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors suffer from body image distress (BID), a source of devastating psychosocial morbidity that impairs quality of life. Evidence-based strategies to manage BID among HNC survivors are lacking. This trial evaluates the preliminary efficacy of BRIGHT (Building a Renewed ImaGe after Head &amp; neck cancer Treatment), a brief tele-cognitive behavioral intervention, relative to attention control (AC), at reducing BID among HNC survivors. Methods: HNC survivors with clinically significant BID were randomized to BRIGHT (n = 20) or AC (n = 24). BRIGHT was delivered by a psychologist in 5 weekly video tele-medicine sessions. AC consisted of dose- and delivery-matched survivorship education. Changes in HNC-related BID and cancer-related BID were assessed using the IMAGE-HN and Body Image Scale (BIS), respectively. The effect of BRIGHT vs AC was analyzed using generalized linear models. Clinical response (proportion of patients with a clinically meaningful change in IMAGE-HN and BIS scores) for BRIGHT vs AC was analyzed with logistic regression. Results: The median age was 63 years (range 41-80) and 61% had stage III/IV HNC. BRIGHT decreased HNC-related BID from baseline to 1- and 3-months post-intervention relative to AC (Table). At 3-months post intervention, the response rate of BRIGHT on HNC-related BID was 6.6-fold higher than AC (OR = 6.6; 90% CI 2.0 to 21.8). BRIGHT decreased cancer-related BID from baseline to 3-months post-intervention vs AC (Table). The improvement in HNC-related BID and cancer-related BID for BRIGHT vs AC at 3-months was clinically significant and the effect size was large (Cohen’s d = -0.9, 90% CI -1.4 to -0.4 for each). Conclusions: In this pilot RCT, BRIGHT results in clinically meaningful improvements in BID among HNC survivors. These promising preliminary data support conducting a large efficacy trial to establish BRIGHT as the first evidence-based treatment for HNC survivors with BID. Clinical trial information: NCT03831100. [Table: see text]
Defining the needs of lung cancer survivors: Physical, social, emotional, and medical needs.
Authors: Matthew Guo, Mattea Miller, Sarah Olson, Cyd Eaton, Mary Boulanger, Michelle Turner, Melinda Laine Hsu, Josephine Louella Feliciano
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2022)

225 Background: Lung cancer survivors (LCS) are a rapidly growing population. Cancer survivors benefit from dedicated survivorship care, but the physical, psychosocial, and medical needs of LCS are poorly defined. Methods: Non-small cell LCS (defined as alive ≥1 years from diagnosis) of any stage treated at Johns Hopkins were invited to complete an IRB-approved cross-sectional survey of needs of 4 subscales (physical, social, emotional, and medical needs) rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = no need, 5 = highest need). Demographic and clinical information were collected by chart review and patient reported questionnaire. Multiple regression models identified factors that were significantly associated with greater total number of needs on each subscale. Results: 235 surveys were completed. We excluded surveys with &lt; 80% completion. Non-Caucasian race was associated with a significantly lower rate of survey completion (p = 0.002). Median age of LCS who completed the survey was 69, most were female (62%), Caucasian (74%), married (71%), or had stage III/IV cancer (60%). More than half of respondents reported emotional needs of fear of recurrence (79%) and living with uncertainty (74%). Common physical needs included fatigue (70%), sleep disturbance (60%), memory and concentration (57%), and weakness (54%). Multivariate analysis identified factors associated with higher needs in physical, social, and emotional needs (Table). We did not identify any factors associated with differences in medical needs. NS – non-significant value. Conclusions: We identified physical, emotional, social, and medical needs that burden survivors of NSCLC. Emotional needs are prevalent. Clinical and demographic factors are independently associated with higher needs in physical, social, and emotional domains. These results are critical in identifying high-impact gaps in providing survivorship care for lung cancer survivors. Future work to identify interventions to address needs is crucial.[Table: see text]
Empowering pathologists to lead immuno-oncology (IO) biomarker testing in the community.
Authors: Joseph Kim, Melissa Kelly, Kellie Beumer
Journal: Journal of Clinical Oncology (2022)

348 Background: As the landscape of immuno-oncology (IO) expands, there is a growing need to improve biomarker testing processes in the community. To educate and empower pathologists to lead in this area, the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) worked in collaboration with Q Synthesis to develop a peer-to-peer learning collaborative. This project was supported by an educational grant from Bristol Myers Squibb. Methods: ASCP recruited a group of 18 pathologists and laboratory professionals who made the commitment to participate in a 10-month program called IO ChangeMakers. Learners completed online modules covering scientific updates on IO biomarker testing. They went into small groups for case study discussions and reviewed operational challenges and opportunities to refine biomarker testing. Learners applied this knowledge to lead IO improvement projects at their own institutions. Results: Learners led improvement projects that addressed the following: Reflex testing: Several developed or refined reflex biomarker testing processes to ensure that tissue was sent for PD-L1 testing at the time of cancer diagnosis. Pathologists established testing criteria with oncologists and implemented steps to reduce delays in testing. Interobserver concordance: One learner identified a need to study interobserver concordance among pathologists diagnosing upper GI cancers and scoring PD-L1 using the combined positive score (CPS). After scanning over 100 gastric cancer slides, different pathologists were asked to provide CPS scoring on the digital images. Results from this study are still pending. Tissue handling: Several identified ways to improve tissue processing and handling to preserve small amounts of tissue for biomarker testing. In cases where the quantity was not sufficient, pathologists asked the lab to prioritize PD-L1 testing and asked oncologists to order a liquid biopsy to look for molecular biomarkers. Confusion around different PD-L1 antibody clones: Several aimed to reduce confusion regarding different PD-L1 antibody clones (eg, 22C3, SP142, etc.) and scoring criteria (eg, TPS ≥ 1%, CPS ≥ 10, TC ≥ 25%, etc.). They developed reference guides and education for staff to ensure that oncologists would order the right type of PD-L1 test based on the type of tumor, stage of disease, and intended treatment. Test ordering to reporting: Most worked in hospitals where samples were sent out for PD-L1 testing. The use of different electronic systems (health record, lab information system) resulted in multiple inefficiencies when tests were ordered. They found ways to improve electronic test ordering, tracking status, and reporting results. Conclusions: Pathologists can be empowered to lead improvement efforts in biomarker testing. As the use of IO expands into more cancers, there will be a growing need for more pathologists to demonstrate leadership in this area.